Friday, January 11, 2013

Surgery: Health for Artists

I had surgery
(hysterectomy) this past Tuesday, Jan. 8.Although in some pain and having some soreness, I know the end result is
I will be a healthier person, and for that I am glad.

Getting to this point
started because of a performance in March of 2012 where I passed out at the end
of program.Through an overnight stay at
a hospital in Vancouver, WA, I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids.Great friends in that area watched over me
and made sure I comfortably arrived back home and the process began to a)get health insurance and b) get the best
possible care and have some physical resolution.

The health care
insurance was my challenge, because I have asthma and with that pre-existing
condition, insurance was too high.Then
came Obamacare!I am a testimony to the
positive effects of Obamacare and getting healthcare for my pre-existing
conditions.I pay $288/month to cover
myself and am grateful beyond belief.

I encourage all artists
to get healthcare insurance, particularly since now it’s a little easier.Here is the suggestion I was given, and
used:

A)Get
services from a Federally Qualified Health Center - they charge on a sliding scale fee and even
if you pay full fees, it's often less than a private practice. There are many
in our area (VA). See Access Partnership's link for a listing: http://accesspartnership.org/19.html

B)Check to see if you
qualify for Pre-Existing Condition Health Insurance Plan. The rates are very
affordable and since you have a pre-ex condition, it's doubtful you can get insurance
at a reasonable price. Also, be aware that even after you purchase coverage
from a private insurance there is often a pre-ex period (3-6 months and
sometimes a year) before that condition is covered!website: http://www.pcip.gov.

If you have insurance
ideas and suggestions that are viable and affordable for artists, please share
with others.

Time for me to get back
to recuperating (which means sleeping a lot and using great drugs - J), so let me finish by
saying thank you to everyone who has been open to sharing how they dealt with
certain prescription drugs and with surgery.Your insights helped me make good decisions.Your prayers, thoughts and texts have
reminded me that I am loved and cared for, and quite blessed with my
cross-country friendships.

What is Ms. Sheila reading?Still
reading:Anecdotes Illustrativeof New Testament Texts published by The
S.S. Scranton Company, Hartford, CT (1901).

Most interesting thing researched
this week?I found out the prayer, “Now I lay be down to
sleep” was written in the 18th-century.How cool that I can add this to my 18th-Century
storytelling presentation and Historic Character Presentations.